Banjo festival line-up announced

The line up for the eleventh annual Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, which is to be held for the first time this year in Tullamore, has been announced. The festival that takes place from September 20 - 23 will feature acts including Paul Brady, American country and folk star Suzy Bogguss, American bluegrass band Blue Highway and bluegrass musicians Don Rigsby and Charlie Sizemore. The Offaly Independent revealed in January the highly regarded festival was to move to Tullamore from its home in Longford. The decision to move was made according to festival organiser Kathy Casey as Longford town simply could not sustain the festival that was getting bigger and bigger. Tullamore was chosen as the festival's new home thanks to its central location, accommodation options and past successes including its hosting of Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in recent years. The Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival is named in memory of legendary Irish musician Johnny Keenan. Highly regarded as a master banjo player, he could also turn his hand to fiddle, low whistle, uilleann pipes, guitar and more. The festival in his honour celebrates the best of Irish traditional, American bluegrass and folk music. Since its inception it has attracted a significant number of visitors from all across Ireland, Europe, America and elsewhere. It injected an estimated €1m into Longford town's economy in past years, and a similar or increased amount is expected to be injected into Tullamore's economy during this year's festival that's bigger and better than its predecessors. Performing artists announced so far for the festival are Suzy Bogguss, Paul Brady, Blue Highway, Don Rigsby and Charlie Sizemore, George Harper, Mundy, Gerry 'Banjo' O'Connor, Beoga, Electric Ceili, We Banjo 3 (featuring Enda Scahill), Niall Toner, Chris Meehan and his Redneck Friends, Barcelona Bluegrass Band, Bending the Strings and Blackjack. The festival will also include street and pub music sessions, jams, masterclass workshops, free outdoor concerts, local craft displays and busking competitions. Tickets and weekend passes will go on sale for the festival in the coming weeks, and further information is available by logging on to www.johnnykeenan.com.